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Sustainability Manager mit Fokus Decarbonisation

Roche • Switzerland • Added on Sep 17, 2026
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This role centers on translating global net-zero ambitions into operational reality at the Basel and Kaiseraugst sites. You will lead the development of site-specific decarbonization strategies across Scope 1, 2, and 3, turning high-level climate roadmaps into actionable technical measures. By acting as the bridge between facility management and corporate strategy, you ensure that infrastructure and production processes evolve to meet rigorous environmental standards.

The position is critical because it addresses the carbon footprint of the entire pharmaceutical value chain, from early research to global delivery. In a sector where energy-intensive manufacturing and complex cold-chain logistics are standard, your work directly influences the company’s 2045 net-zero goal. Success here means transforming one of the industry’s most sophisticated clinical and production hubs into a benchmark for sustainable healthcare operations.

This suits someone who possesses a strong engineering or environmental science background and thrives in non-hierarchical, agile organizational models. You should be a proactive driver who enjoys navigating technical complexity while influencing diverse stakeholders through data-driven persuasion.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The core mission involves orchestrating the transition to Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions for the Basel and Kaiseraugst sites. This entails developing pragmatic roadmaps for Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and ensuring these plans are integrated into the daily operations of the facility network. You will be responsible for strategic concept management, which includes identifying technical levers for carbon reduction in energy infrastructure and site logistics. Furthermore, you will act as a central hub for change management, communicating progress to management committees and fostering a culture of sustainability among the workforce.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep expertise in Carbon Accounting and Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) within a highly regulated pharmaceutical environment. You will learn how to apply Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) methodologies to complex biotech manufacturing processes, providing a rare technical edge in industrial sustainability. Beyond technical skills, the role offers exposure to a modern organizational model that moves away from traditional hierarchy. This environment provides a unique opportunity to develop lateral leadership skills and autonomous decision-making capabilities within a global corporate structure.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings a solid academic background in Engineering or Environmental Sciences, specifically with a focus on process or energy technology. You should have several years of experience in project management where you have successfully moved strategic sustainability concepts into physical implementation. Technically, you must be proficient in GHG Protocol standards and carbon footprinting. Soft skills are equally vital; you need to be a 'doer' who can navigate a non-hierarchical setting, using persuasive communication in both German and English to align different departments toward shared environmental targets.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond general sustainability interest and highlight your technical understanding of industrial infrastructure. Show how you have previously tackled Scope 3 emissions or implemented energy efficiency projects in a manufacturing or research setting. Since Roche operates with a unique, flexible leadership culture, your application should demonstrate self-starter qualities. Provide examples of where you took initiative without formal authority, as the ability to drive change through influence rather than hierarchy is a key success factor in this specific team environment.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role focuses heavily on decarbonization of the value chain, specifically targeting the 2045 Net-Zero objective. This includes optimizing site-level energy infrastructure, improving the sustainability of the built environment, and addressing the complexities of Scope 3 emissions related to pharmaceutical production. You will also engage with Sustainable Construction practices as the site evolves. By linking operational excellence with environmental stewardship, the role ensures that the clinical and commercial supply of medicines remains resilient and low-impact.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One significant challenge is the transformation of a historically grown industrial site. Retrofitting older infrastructure to meet modern net-zero standards requires navigating technical constraints while maintaining continuous pharmaceutical production and research activities. Additionally, working without formal disciplinary authority means you must manage potential resistance to change. Balancing ambitious carbon reduction targets with the cost-conscious and pragmatic requirements of a large-scale business operation will require constant negotiation and resilience.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day involves a mix of strategic planning sessions and operational check-ins with engineering and production teams. You might spend the morning analyzing carbon data to update a roadmap and the afternoon presenting progress reports to the site leadership team. Interaction is constant; you will likely facilitate workshops to identify new CO2 reduction measures or meet with Corporate Sustainability experts to ensure local alignment with global goals. The nature of the work is highly collaborative, requiring frequent shifts between technical analysis and stakeholder communication.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

There are significant opportunities to lead high-visibility strategic projects that have a direct impact on the company's global sustainability ranking. Success in this role positions you as a leading expert in industrial decarbonization within the pharmaceutical sector. Furthermore, the lateral leadership structure at Roche allows for diverse career paths. You could move into broader corporate strategy roles, specialize further in environmental engineering, or take on leadership responsibilities within the global Site Network organization.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Primary internal stakeholders include the Site Management and the Real Estate/Infrastructure teams who implement physical changes. You will also work closely with production units and research departments to understand their specific energy and carbon requirements. Externally and across the group, you will interface with the Corporate Sustainability team to report data and align on global standards. Interaction with external consultants, environmental agencies, and service providers for energy and logistics is also a frequent part of the role's collaborative scope.

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